Approval of 2 LEDAC bills eyed as House resumes sessions this week —Sandro Marcos

The House of Representatives aims to approve two Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority measures as it resumes session this week, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos said Sunday.

These measures are the National Land Use Act and the amendments to the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Act.

In a statement, Marcos said the National Land Use Act aims to provide a framework for land use planning.

Meanwhile, the 4Ps amendments seek to strengthen and expand the government’s flagship social protection program.

“These are not theoretical proposals anymore. These are measures that have already moved through key stages, and what they need now is sustained floor work so we can bring them across the finish line before adjournment,” Marcos said.

Marcos also said 18 of the 52 priority measures have been passed or advanced before the Holy Week, which started on March 29.

These measures are the following:

1. EPIRA Amendments: ERC Strengthening
2. Waste-to-Energy
3. Amendments to the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education Act
4. Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations Act
5. Amendments to the National Building Code
6. Blue Economy Act
7. National Reintegration Bill
8. Amendments to the Teachers Professionalization Act
9. Extension of Estate Tax Amnesty Period
10. Department of Water Resources Bill
11. Amendments to the Bank Deposits Secrecy Law
12. Travel Tax Abolition
13. Digital Payments Act
14. Amendments to the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act
15. Presidential Merit Scholarship Program
16.  Amendments to the Biofuels Act
17. Resetting the First Regular Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
18. National Center for Geriatric Health

“A total of 18 priority measures already passed before the Holy Week break. Masigasig po ang inyong Kamara sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Speaker Dy sa pagpasa ng mga prayoridad na panukala ng administrasyon. And so far, we are proud of what we have accomplished,” Marcos said.

(A total of 18 priority measures were already passed before the Holy Week break. The House has been diligent under the leadership of Speaker [Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III] in advancing the administration’s priority bills. And so far, we are proud of what we have accomplished.)

Dy earlier vowed to prioritize the passage of bills that would protect the public from the impact of soaring fuel prices amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which prompted fuel price hikes in the country.

"We recognize that this is a challenge we must face head on, which is why the House of Representatives will work with the Executive to focus on measures that will help cushion the effects of rising oil prices on the various sectors of our economy—especially our workers, commuters, farmers, and small businesses," Dy said in a statement.

"Hindi po kayo nag-iisa sa pagharap sa mga hamong ito. Kami po ay walang humpay na magsusulong ng mga priority bills at mga hakbang na makakatulong upang mapagaan ang epekto ng mga pandaigdigang krisis," Dy said.

(You are not alone in this. We will be relentless in our push for priority bills and other measures that would help address the effects of this global crisis.)

According to an industry source, diesel prices are expected to climb by P1.00 to P2.00 per liter and gasoline to increase by P2.00 to P3.00 per liter. —KG, GMA News